Engine.



A. BURKHARDT.

ENGINE. 3

APPLICATION FILED. mu. 3|. I912.

Patented Apr. 27, 191.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l- 20 LVVENTOR.

W 1 TNESSES- A TTORNEY.

:HE NORRIS PETERS CU.. FHOTC-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. u. C.

A. BURKHARDT.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION men JAN. 31, 1912.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ATTORNEY.

A. BURKHARDT.

ENGINE.

H A APPLICATION man JAN-31.19I2. L11, H 1 Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4. f .10.

IVITNESSES- INVENTOR:

A TTOR VEY.

.1 NUKPIS PETERS 60.. PHcTC-LITHQ. WASHINUVON. Dv c.

in F

pr on. I

ALEXANDER BURKHARDT, DFINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

' ENGINE,

Application filed January 31, 1912. Serial No. 674,506.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER BURK- HARDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Engine, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to engines of the stationary type, more particularly to en gines having gearing for the transmission of power for various purposes, the invention having reference more particularly to explosion engines which may be modified so as to use steam or compressed motive force.

The object of the invention generally is to provide an engine having a plurality of power cylinders and of compact construction, especially adapted to be constructed in relatively small sizes, a particular object of the invention being to provide an engine that will be adapted to be so constructed as to transmit motion at high speed and which may be modified so as to transmit motion at relatively low speed, a further object being to provide an engine and air compressor combined of improved construction and adapted to transmit power for other purposes; and a still further object is to pro vide'improved explosion engine valves and operating mechanism therefor.

Vith the above mentioned and minor objects in view, the invention consists in an improved engine comprising a novel frame adapted to-inclose and conceal the operative mechanism of the engine so as to prevent injury to persons when the engine is in operation, improved gearing for transmitting power, and in improved valve gearings for explosion engines.

The invention consists also in certain novel parts, and in the combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and defined in the accompanying claims. I 7

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved engine aspreferably constructed; Fig. 2, another elevation of the engine; Fig. 3, a top plan'of the engine; Fig. 4, a section approximately on the plane of the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a section on the line B B in Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a section on the line C C inFig. 1; Fig. 7, a section on the line D D in Fig. 2; Fig, 8, a

air as the fragmentary section on the line A A in Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 9, a fragmentary. section on the plane of the line E E in Fig. A; Fig. 10, a fragmentary section on the plane of the line F F in Fig. 4: on an enlarged scale; Fig. 11, a fragmentary section on the plane of the line G G in Fig. A on an enlarged scale; Fig. 12, a fragmentary section as on the plane of the line B B in Fig. l on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 13, a' fragmentary section on the line H H in Fig. 11. 1 Similar reference characters throughout the different figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to.

The main part of the frame preferably is composed of four sections, there being two base sections 1 and 1 cast from one pattern and placed together in reverse order so as to form a vertical joint 2- secured together by means of bolts 3 and 3', so that a compact base part is provided for supporting the main shafts of the engine in its upper portion. Two top sections 4 and A are cast from one pattern and are placed together in reverse order so as to form a verticaljoint 5 and rigidly secured together by means of.

bolts 6 and 6, the two sections constituting a top portion removably secured upon the base portion by means of bolts 7 and 7.

The sections are suitably cored. out so as to eliminate unnecessary metal, and the construction is such as toinclose most of the securing bolts. The sections 4: and 4 have outwardly extending shelf portions 8 and 8 respectively to constitute portions of the top of the frame so designed as to constitute a flat table upon which a suitable number of cylindersj9, 9 9 9 are secured in upright position, the lower ends of the cylinders being open, the table having suitable openings. therein corresponding to low the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane of the two cylinders 9 and 9 the frame is suitably bored out and has two relatively large bushings 10 and 10 inserted horizontally and secured therein, lar bushings 10 and 10 are inserted sub stantially below the remaining pair of cylinders 9' and 9. Two journal boxes 11 and 11 are secured inone pair of the bushings, and two similar journal boxes 11 and 11 are secured in the remaining pair of bushings respectively. 1

the bores of the cylinders. Be-

and simitwo pairs thereof.

Two j ournal boxes 12 and 12" are secured inthe frame between the'bushings of the Two journal boxes 13 and 13 are secured in the upper portion of the frame and two similar journal boxes 14 and 14, are secured in-the lower portion of the frame, the;journal boxes 12, 13, and 14 and their mates being all in one vertical plane midway between the journal boxes 11 and. 11* and their'matesz.

main shaft 15 is rotatably mounted in the journal boxes '11 and 11 shaft 15" is rotatably mounted in the journal are in the plane of the outer with crank-pins l7'and 17 a 7 17, a pitmanv13 boxes 11 and 11, the shafts extending beyond the outer ends of the journal boxes. Two disks or crank-wheels l6 and '16 are secured to opposite endportions of the shaft 15., and two similar disks are secured to end portions of the shaft 15, the arrangement being such'that the outer faces of the disks side faces of the The disks 16 andl6 are provided respectively, the disks 16 and 16 being provided with crankpins 17 b and 17 respectively. .A pitman 18 is connectedto the crank-pin 17 and a pitman 18 isconnected tothe crank-pin is connected to thescrankpin 17 b and a pitman 18 is connected to the crank-pin 17. Each cylinder hasa suitable piston. that is movable therein, two of the frame;

pistons only being shown, one piston 19 being connectedto the'pitman 18, the other piston 19 being connected to the pitman 18; vIti willb'e seen that the power from two cylinders Idrives one main shaft and the power from the remaining two cylinders drives the remainingshaft. A countershaft diameter than the 201is rotatably mounted in the journal boxes 12 and l2gandpreferably extends through journal boxes so as to transmit power'for any purpose desired, and it has a one of the p1n1oni21 secured theretovbetween the two j ou'rn'al boxes,- the pinion being in mesh with two gear-wheels 22 and-22' that are of less bushings respectively and are secured to the middle portions of the twosh'afts 15 and 15" respectively; 'Another crank shaft 23 is rotatably mounted in the journalboxes13 and 13' and has a pinion 24secured to its middle portion, the pinion being in mesh withthe pinion 21. "Two disks or crank wheels 25fand 25 are secured to opposite end portions of the shaft 23-and are: provided respectively with crank-pins 26 and 26. Two pump cylinders 27 and 27' are secured upon the top of the frame in the plane ofathe'two shafts 20 and 23 and have pistons 28 and 28therein respectively, one piston being connected by means of a pitman29 with the crank-pin 26, and the other by a pitman 29, with the crank-pin 26, the pump'cylinders as illustrated having open lower ends. "A countershaft 30 isrotatably mounted in the journal boxes 13 and 14. and

and a main for the transmission of power if desired, a

, pinion 31 being secured to the shaft 30 between the journal boxes and in mesh with the pinion 21.

Two casing plates 32 and 32 are cast from one pattern or suitably stamped and are placed in reverse order against opposite sides of the frame and have symmetrically designed offset or bulged portions 33 and 33 respectively that extend vertically in planes slightly beyond the main crank-pins, the plates having also outwardly extending upper portions 34 and 34 respectively that have contact with the edges of the shelf portions 8 and 8 of the top of the frame, said plates being removably secured to the frame by means of bolts 35 and 35 respectively and cover the movable portions of the engine in the frame.

All the engine cylinders are alike and suitably arranged upon the frame, and it is sufficient to an understanding of the invention to describe the details of construction of'one or a working pair of them. The two cylinders 9 and 9" comprising a working pair have uppercylinder-heads 36 and 36 respectively above which are suitably formed fuel supply boxes 37 and 37 respectively, the other pair of cylinders having similar fuel supply boxes 37 and 37 respectively. The valves and operating mechanism of all the cylinders are alike, the two cylinders of each pair therefore being identically equipped, the heads 36 and 36 having bushings 38 and 38' therein at the lower ends of which inlet valves 39 and 39 are seated so as to move to open inwardly into the cylinders, and they are provided with controlling stems 40 and 40 respectively that are guided in heads 41 and 41 which are removably inserted in the upper walls of the supply boxes, the heads being suitably recessed in their outer sides, and a spring 42 is seated in each recess and has contact with a pin 43 secured in-the vstem movably connected thereto and covering the springs and ends of the controlling stems.

The valves may be opened either by suction of the engine pistons or by means of fluid pressure in the supply boxes and are closed, when not forced open, by means of the springs, The several cylinders are provided respectively with cylindrical exhaust boxes 45, 45, 45", 45, in which the exhaust valves are movably arranged, and they preferably are cast integrally with the cylinders and extend from the lower ends of the cylinders upward to the plane ofthe cylinder-heads, the two of a pair of the exhaust valve boxes having upper heads 46 and 46 respectively from which extend cylindrical valx e chests 47 and 47 respectively, the bore of each valve chest extending through the head, and

the ends of the valve chests have removable caps 48 and 4:8 thereon in each of which is a vent-hole 49. The valve chests have ports 50 and 50 in the walls thereof respectively that extend from the bores of the valve chests to the interior of the adjacent fuel supply boxes. The wall of each exhaust valve box has a vent-hole 51 therein adjacent to the head 46. Each valve chest has an inlet port 52 therein that is opposite to the port 50 or 50 and has a supply pipe 53 or 53 connected therewith through which to conduct explosive mixture, compressed air or suitable fluid as a medium for producing power to actuate the pistons of the engine. The two cylinders of a pair have exhaust ports 54 and 54 respectively that extend through the walls of the cylinders to the adjacent exhaust valve boxes, the position of each port being somewhat nearer the lower end of the cylinder so that it shall be opened when the piston descends in the cylinder to the end of its downward stroke, the upper portions of the cylinders being provided with auxiliary exhaust ports 55 and 55 that are relatively near the cylinderheads and afiord communication between the cylinders and the exhaust valve boxes. The wall of each exhaust valve box has an outlet opening 56 therein, and preferably two exhaust pipes 57 and 57 are connected with the outlet openings of a pair of exhaust valve boxes and also with a relatively larger discharge pipe 58 adapted to receive the ex haust gases from the remaining cylinders and conduct the gases to the atmosphere or elsewhere.

The two exhaust valve boxes of a pair of cylinders have annular main exhaust valves 59 and 59 therein that are adapted to close the exhaust ports 54 and 5 1', but are einployed more particularly for another purpose which will further appear, the valves being of cylindrical or piston form and hav ing central openings 60 and 60' therein. Cylindrical auxiliary exhaust valves 61 and 61 are arranged movably in the upper portion of the exhaust valve boxes and they have downwardly extending truncated extensions 62 and62 thereon having smooth bores 63 and 63 respectively that extend through the valves. Two connecting rods 64% and 64 are suitably secured to each exhaust valve 59 or 59 and also to the opposite auxiliary exhaust valve 60 or 61, the rods being of such length as to move the auxiliary exhaust valve and close the auxiliary exhaust port when the main exhaust valve closes the main exhaust port. Check valves 65 and 65 are normally seated upon the main exhaust valves'59 and 59 so as to close the openings tively and are guided on the rods 64: and 64: and movable away from the valves until stopped by collars 66 secured to the rods,

60 and 60 therein respecthe check valves being adapted to prevent exhaust gases from passing down through the main exhaust valves and main exhaust ports and through the cylinders to the atmosphere when the pistons are above the main exhaust ports. Two connecting rods Y67 and 67 are connected to each main exhaust valve, as 59, and extend downwardly and are secured to a cylindrical head 68 or 68' that is movable in the lower portion of the exhaust valve box to prevent the exhaust gases from escaping out of the lower end of the exhaust valve box, the movable heads having cylindrical truncated extensions 69 and 69 respectively which serve as packing boxes, and they have smooth bores 70 and 70 therein that extend through the heads. Said heads each have two rods 71 and 71 secured thereto for operating and controlling the head and valves connected therewith.

Two bracket heads 72 and 72 for each pair of cylinders are suitably secured to the main frame and have guide arms 73 and 73 thereon through which the rods 71 and 71 movably extend, the bracket heads having also guide arms 74 and 74: thereon respec tively, in each of which two plungers 75 and 7 5 are movably guided, the plungers being enlarged extensions of the rods 71 and 71. The plungers have collars 76 and 76 thereon respectively on which springs 77 and 77 are seated, the springs extending into contact with the arm 73 or 73 for projecting the plungers. Valve rods 7 8 and 78 are guided in the arms 73 and 73 respec tively and extend upward through the movable heads and also through the main exhaust valves and the check valves thereon and thence upward through the auxiliary exhaust valves and their packing boxes, and thence into the valve chests 4:7 and 47 respectively, and have piston shaped inlet valves 79 and 79 secured thereto respectively that are adapted to normally close the ports 50and 50 and also the opposite ports 52. Piston-heads 80 and 80 are secured to the rods 78 and 78 somewhat below the valves 79 and 79 respectively so as to prevent fluid from escaping into the exhaust valve boxes when the inlet valves open the ports 52, the pistons being fitted movably in the bores of the valve chests. The rods 7 8 and 78 have also piston-heads 81 and 81 secured thereto respectively that are movably fitted into the bores 63 and 63 respectively for preventing the escape of exhaust gases through the auxiliary valves, said rods 78 and 78 having also piston-heads 82 and 82 secured thereto respectively that are movably fitted in the bores 70 and 70' to prevent the exhaust gases from escaping through the movable heads 68 and 68.

It should be understood that the piston heads in the exhaust valves and movable heads serve the purpose of packings in the 7 respectively on the cylinders.

{87 and 87 for openings through which the rods 78 and 78' operate and thatany other equivalent means for the purpose may be substituted if desired. 1

"The lower ends of the rods 78 and 7 8 have plunger's 88 and 83 thereon respectively that are movably guided in the arms 7-1 and 74L 'respecti'velybetween the plungers 75 and 75, and the plungers 83 and 83 have collars 84c and 84c secured thereto on which springs 85 and 85"are seated, the springs being in contact-with the 1 arms 73 and 73' respectively for normally holding'the valves 79 and 7 9 in closed position. t

Each two disks as 16 and 16 that are on one shaft15 are provided at the inner sides thereof with cylindrical guides 86 and 86 valve rods may be supported or stopped in their downward movement, the plungers, however, preferably i being held slightly away from the guides by means of their collars and the arm-7 l or 74. Theguides have relatively short cams 87 and 87 thereon respectivelythat are so spaced as to be moved under and lift't-he plungers 83 and 83"foropening the valves 79 and 79 and to permit the plungers to'descend for closing the valt' es at the proper periods to correspond with the movement of the pistons in The guides 86"and 86 have also relatively longer cams 88 and 88 thereon respectively that-are movable under the plungers 75 or a similar plunger adjacent to thecompanion disk, similar cams 89 and 89 being carried also by the cylindrical guides in planes at the opposite sides of the cams operating the plungers 75 simultaneously with the operation of the plungers 75. V r V f The air-pumps may be variously constructed, but-as shown'the pump cylinders 27 and 27', are upright and have open lower ends and heads 90 and 90 in their upper ends, theheads being provided with air inlet valves 91 and. 91" opening inward and spring-pressed to the seats by suitable springs 92. The. cylinder-heads have outlet air valve chests 93 and 93 thereon in which valves 94 and 94 are seated respectively to open outwardly and" are normally held to the seats by suitable "springs 95 and 95,

'jthere bein outlet pines 96 and 96 connected to the valve chestsrespectively and also connected to a delivery pipe 97 which is connected to a reservoir 98 conveniently supported, preferably'upon the main frame of the engine between the air-pump cylinders.

It should be understood that various modifications scope'of the claims, as for. instance, in some cases the mechanically operated valves 79 and 79 may be omitted, and also the main exhaust valves and the check valves thereon may be dispensed with. Also' suit-able which the plungers of the are contemplated within the while the pistons are passing toward the cylinder-heads, the charges being forced into the cylinders and suitably exploded under compression. When the pistons are forced downward sutliciently far to uncover the main exhaustports, the exhaust valves are moved so as to also open the main exhaust portand the auxiliary exhaust port, the exhaust gases passing out through the discharge opening 56 as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8. \Vhile the pistons are moving upward the cylinder is scavenged by the residue of the gases passing out through the auxiliary exhaust port or until closed by the auxiliary valve (31 or 61, after which the charging and explosions are continued. The power developed inlthe engine cylinders evidently causes the main'shafts 15 and 15 to rotateand they in turn through the gear-wheels rotate the shafts 20 and 23'and also the shaft 30, the shaft 23 operating the air pumps as will be apparent from the foregoing description. Other results of the'operation of the engine will be readily understood from the description of the construction and functions of the various parts thereof without further description in detail.

Features ofthe invention relating to the valves and gearing, which may not be claimed herein, form the subject-matter of a divisional application for Letters Patent filed June 30, 1913, Serial Number 776,587.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. An engine including a frame having a plurality of bushings secured therein, the frame having also two journal boxes secured therein in contact each with he other, one of the. boxes being between and in contact with the two bushings, two main shafts rotatably mounted in the bushings respectively, two gear wheels fixed on the two shafts respectively, a countershaft rotatably mounted in the journal box that is between the bushings and having a pinion thereon that meshes with the two gear wheels, and a shaft rotatably mounted in the remaining one of the two journal boxes and having a gear wheel fixed thereon that meshes with the pinion.

2. An engine including a frame having an opening therein, two bushings inserted and secured in the opening, two journal bearings fixedly secured in the two bushings respectively, a n ain shaft rotatably mounted in the bearings and within the opening,

a gear wheel in the opening secured to the shaft between the two bushings, a countershaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a pinion fixed on the countershaft in mesh with the gear wheel, two disks in the opening and secured to opposite end portions respectively of the main shaft and having each a crank pin, two cylinders mounted upon the frame, and two pistons in the cylinders operatively connected with the two crank pins respectively.

3. An engine including a frame having a plurality of bushings secured therein at a distance apart, the bushings being cylindrical and having each a journal-bearing therein, the frame having also two journal boxes secured therein in contact each with the other, one of the boxes being between and in contact with the two bushings, two main shafts rotatably mounted in the two journal bearings respectively, two gear wheels fixed on the two shafts respectively, a countershaft rotatably mounted in the journal box that is between the bushings and having a pinion thereon that meshes with the two gear wheels, a crank shaft rotatably mount-v ed in the remaining one of the two journa boxes and having a gear wheel fixed thereon that meshes also with the pinion, two crank disks fixed on the two main shafts respectively and having each a crank pin thereon, two cylinders mounted upon the frame and having two pistons operatively connected respectively with the two crank pins, and a pump-cylinder mounted upon the frame between the two cylinders and having a piston operatively connected with the crank shaft.

4. In an engine, the combination of a frame comprising a base part composed of two identically shaped sections secured to-. gether, a top part composed of two identically shaped sections secured together, and bolts detachably connecting the top part to the base part; said frame having bushings and also journal boxes removably secured therein, each bushing having also a ournal. box therein, a main shaft rotatably mounted in the journal boxes of said bushings and having a gear wheel thereon that is less in diameter than the diameter of the respective bushings, a counter-shaft rotatably mounted in two of the remaining journal boxes and having a pinion fixed thereon that is in mesh with said gear wheel, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the remaining journal boxes and having a gear wheel thereon that is in mesh with said pinion, a plurality of cylinders mounted on said frame, a disk fixed on said main shaft and having a crank pin, and pis tons in the cylinders respectively and having operative connection with the crank shaft and the crank pin respectively.

5. In an engine, the combination of a frame comprising a main portion having a shelf-like extension on the upper portion of one side thereof, a main shaft rotatably mounted in the main portion of the frame, countershafts rotatably mounted in the said. main portion and geared to said main shaft, a disk secured to said main shaft and having a crank pin thereon, a cylinder mounted partially upon said main portion and partially uponthe said extension of the frame, a piston in the cylinder provided with a pitman that is connected to the crank pin, and an inclosing plate removably secured to said main portion and having an upper portion extending outwardly to the end of said extension of the frame, said plate extending past the ends of said crank pin and countershafts.

6. In an engine, the combination of a frame, a reservoir supported upon the middle portion of the frame, a plurality of cylinders mounted upon the frame at one side of the reservoir, a plurality of cylinders mounted upon the frame at the opposite side of the reservoir, a pipe connected with the reservoir and also with two of the cylinders at opposite sides of the reservoir respectively, separate series of valves for the respective cylinders, a plurality of crankshafts rotatably mounted in the frame and having each a gear-wheel fixed thereto, a countershaft rotatably mounted in the frame and having a gear-wheel fixed thereto in mesh with the gear wheels of all the crankshafts, and pistons in the cylinders operatively connected with the crank-shafts.

7. In an engine, the combination of a frame comprising a base part composed of two identically shaped sections secured together, a top part composed of two identically shaped sections secured together, and bolts detachably connecting the top part to the base part; said frame having two pairs of bushings removably secured therein, there being a bushing embraced in each base and top part section, two crank-shafts rotatably mounted in the two pairs of bushings re spectively and having each a gear-wheel fixed thereon, two journal boxes removably secured in said frame between the two crankshafts, a countershaft rotatably mounted in the journal boxes and having a pinion fixed thereon that meshes with the two gearwheels, the pinion being less in diameter than the diameter of the respective journal boxes, cylinders mounted upon the top part of said frame, and pistons in the cylinders having each a pitman connected thereto and to a different one of the cranks of the two crankshafts.

8. In an engine, the combination of a frame comprising a main portion having shelf-like extensions on the upper portions of two opposite sides thereof, two main shafts rotatably mounted in the main portion of the frame and having each a gearwheel fixed thereto, a countershaft rotatably mounted 'in then-frame. between the main shafts and having a pinion fixed thereto that meshes with the two gear-wheels, two disks secured'to opposite ends of one of the main shafts and having each a crank-pin thereon, two disks secured to of the remaining'one of the main shafts and having each a crank-pin thereon, cylinders mounted partially upon the main portion of the frame and partially upon the extensions of the frame, pistons in the cylinders pro Vided each with a pitman that is connected opposite ends to a crank-pin, and two inclosing plates removably secured to said opposite sides of the main portion of the extending past the ends of said crank-pins and'having upper portions extending outwardly to the ends of said frame extensions. In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER BURKHARDT. Witnesses:

HARRY D. PIERsoN, E. T. SILVIUS.

Gbpiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, I). C.

Commissioner of- Patents,

frame, said plates 15 

